Heat sealable gift wrap

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method of making a gift bag by layering paper and plastic to form a laminate, and folding, heating, and sealing the laminate to itself to define an area for receiving a gift. A method of making a gift decoration by layering paper and plastic to form a laminate, and folding, heating, and sealing the laminate to itself in the desired shape. Also described is a gift decorating kit comprising a laminate, instructions on use of the laminate, and a receptacle enclosing the laminate. Additionally, the present invention relates to gift wrap.

PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] Applicant claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/325,643 filed Sep. 28, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention related to paper for wrapping and presenting gifts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Gift wrapping is typically accomplished by cutting paper into an appropriate size and shaped sheet, folding or forming is around the gift, and securing the paper with tape or ribbon. Often a card or other decoration is then applied to the package, and/or the wrapped package is placed in a gift bag. In the case of some gifts, such as food for example, wrapping in paper is simply not practical and gifts bags are often used. Again, ribbons or other decorations are frequently applied to the bag. Often, when gifts are placed in a bag, whether wrapped or not, tissue paper is used to stuff the bag and/or wrap the gift.

[0004] Gift wrapping disadvantageously requires many different kinds of materials, especially for different kinds of gifts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a method of making a gift bag comprising the steps of layering a piece of paper and a piece of plastic to form a laminate, folding the laminate upon itself to form an overlapped region, heating the folded laminate along a line in the overlapped region to melt the plastic layer, and sealing the laminate to itself to define an at least partially enclosed area for receiving a gift.

[0006] The present invention relates to a method of making a gift decoration comprising the steps of forming, folding, and heating the laminate, as described above, and sealing the laminate to itself in the heated overlapped region to hold the laminate in the desired shape.

[0007] Further, the present invention relates to a gift decorating kit comprising a piece of paper layered with a piece of plastic to form a laminate, instructions on use of the laminate, and a receptacle enclosing the laminate.

[0008] Additionally, the present invention relates to gift wrap comprising a piece of paper layered with a piece of plastic to form a laminate, the laminate encasing a gift and overlapping upon itself in at least one area where heat is applied to melt the plastic and seal the laminate to itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a frontal perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a frontal perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 shows the formation of the laminate by layering a piece of paper 1 and a piece of plastic 2.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows arranging of two pieces of laminate 4, 5 in a manner similar to the way in which the laminate is formed. Alternatively, one piece of laminate could be folded upon itself to form the arrangement of FIG. 1. Heat is applied along an overlapping region, the edges 3, of the pieces of laminate 4, 5 to seal them together, forming a bag with an opening 8.

[0017]FIG. 3 shows the opening 8 receiving a gift 7. Heat is applied to overlapped region 6 to seal the gift bag.

[0018]FIG. 4 shows laminate 10 according to FIG. 1 which has been cut into a particular shape for use in making a decoration.

[0019]FIG. 5 shows folding and arranging the laminate 10 in order to make a decoration. Heat is applied at overlapped region 12 to seal the laminate to itself.

[0020]FIG. 6 shows the laminate of FIG. 1 cut into pieces 22, 24 suitable for making gift bags and decorations as provided in a kit 20. The kit 20 is enclosed in clear plastic 28, such as cellophane or the like, with cardboard 30 its top sealing the plastic.

[0021] The invention provides improved gift wrap which eliminates the need for separate ribbon, tape, bag stuffing and/or other package decorations. According to the invention, a thin layer of heat sealable plastic on the inner surface of gift wrap solves many problems in the art. After folding/forming the wrap to the package, it can be heat sealed with a blow dryer or iron, instead of requiring separate supplies of tape or ribbon.

[0022] In the event ribbon is preferred, it can be made by ironing strips of gift wrap back to back. In this way, ribbons matching and/or complementing the wrap can be quickly and easily made. The strips of wrap can also be cut with pinking shears or the like to provide the ribbons with a decorative edge.

[0023] Appliqués can be made from the wrapping paper in a similar fashion. The paper can be cut, folded, and heat sealed into three dimensional shapes, such as flowers, bows and the like, to decorate the package. Once completed, the decorations can be simply and quickly heat sealed onto the package. For an imaginative package wrapper, the possibilities are endless.

[0024] In addition to selling the wrapping paper in traditional sheets or rolls, it could also be sold as gift wrap kits, including ideas/instructions on wrapping and decorating different size/shape packages.

[0025] Because the wrapping paper of the invention is plastic backed, it is particularly useful for wrapping food and baked goods since it will help to keep them fresh, and help to prevent them from leaking through the wrapping.

[0026] The invention relates to any kind of wrapping paper but particularly relates to tissue paper. Tissue paper is not very durable. Notwithstanding the fact that is prone to tearing and is not water resistant, tissue paper is still prized for wrapping gifts. A thin, heat sealable plastic backing makes it durable enough for most wrapping jobs while preserving its prized characteristics.

[0027] In addition to wrapping paper, ribbons and decorations, the invention also relates bags and pouches made of plastic backed tissue paper with heat sealed edges. The bags/pouches can either be pre-made and sold as a wrapping kit, or consumer made with instructions provided with a sheet of wrapping paper. As with the ribbons, bag edges can be cut with decorative shears. Bags/pouches made in this fashion are particularly useful for gifts of food and can be closed, for example, with ribbons made by heat sealing strips of wrapping paper. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a gift bag, comprising the steps of: a) layering a piece of paper and a piece of plastic to form a laminate; b) arranging one or more pieces of laminate to form an overlapped region; c) heating the pieces of laminate along a line in the overlapped region to melt the plastic layer; and d) sealing the pieces of laminate to each other to define an at least partially enclosed area for receiving a gift.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein arranging includes folding the laminate upon itself.
 3. A method of making a gift decoration, comprising the steps of: a) layering a piece of paper and a piece of plastic to form a laminate; b) folding the laminate upon itself to form a desired shape having an overlapped region; c) heating the folded laminate in the overlapped region to melt the plastic layer; and d) sealing the laminate to itself in the heated overlapped region to hold the laminate in the desired shape.
 4. A gift decorating kit, comprising: 1) a piece of paper layered with a piece of plastic to form a laminate; 2) instructions on use of the laminate; and 3) a receptacle enclosing the laminate.
 5. The decorating kit of claim 4, wherein the piece of paper is tissue paper.
 6. The decorating kit of claim 4, wherein the instructions are printed on the laminate.
 7. The decorating kit of claim 4, wherein the instructions relate to making gift decorations.
 8. The gift decorating kit if claim 4, wherein the instructions relate to wrapping a present.
 9. The decorating kit of claim 4, wherein the laminate is a gift bag and the instructions relate to sealing the bag.
 10. The decorating kit of claim 4, wherein the receptacle comprises a cardboard support element at least partially engaging and sealing a cellophane housing.
 11. The decorating kit of claim 10, wherein the instructions are printed on the cardboard support element.
 12. Gift wrap, comprising a piece of paper layered with a piece of plastic to form a laminate, the laminate encasing a gift and overlapping upon itself in at least one area where heat is applied to melt the plastic and seal the laminate to itself.
 13. The gift wrap of claim 12, wherein the paper is tissue paper.
 14. The gift wrap of claim 12, further comprising instructions for use.
 15. The gift wrap of claim 14, wherein the instructions are printed on the laminate. 